Rebuilding the Family Legacy

Pita House began its story with Syrian-Lebanese brothers who arrived in New Zealand 38 years ago, seeking a better life not only for themselves, but for generations to come. From this journey grew the idea of bringing the food they loved to a country that had become their home. In 2005, Pita House Onehunga was established, soon followed Pita House Pakuranga, becoming a hub for Syrian and Lebanese baking, grocery, and halal butchery.

As children, we have watched our fathers over the last 20 years sacrifice and devote their lives to a business that fed the community and shone a light on our culture, heritage, and home. Awake at 4:30am, work 14-hour days and labour seven days a week. This was their normal. To our fathers, this shop was more than a business; it was their home and purpose.

On the 9th of January, our home was burnt to ashes. In that fire, not only was the building lost, but a piece of our fathers’ life’s work remains in the rubble at Cortina Place. Though the fire took the building, it did not take the spirit behind it.

While there is an insurance policy in place, the outcome is yet to be determined.

As their children, we wanted to find a way to give back to the men who sacrificed their lives to provide us with a foundation they did not have. This fundraiser is about restoring a legacy, a livelihood, and a place that has fed and supported its community of East Auckland and beyond. With your support, we hope to bring our fathers’ life’s work back where it belongs. Any contribution will help us continue the work our fathers began.